
One of the most important lessons shared during our talk was that we must be kind to ourselves. When we make a change in our lives – whether it's our mindset, eating habits, or our schedule – we must take it step by step. In Western culture, we often feel so pressured to be "perfect" that we expect to change completely in one day. Eventually, we break down, stop entirely, or feel stressed by this "new" way of living. What we seek, however, is conscious transformation. A conscious lifestyle encompasses so much – it involves our consumption habits, our health, our relationships, and, yes, our connection with food, animals, nature, and, most importantly, ourselves.
When we begin to address one area of our lives, other aspects also begin to shift. But it all starts with awareness. As Anaïs said during our talk: we have options. We may not have been aware of these options because marketing and even our educational systems didn't provide us with all the information, but we do have options. We can learn, inspire each other, and make change happen. One step leads to another. When we examine our consumption habits, we must ask ourselves: how will we ever reverse the overproduction in the world if we don't start by reducing our overconsumption?
Does this mean we all need to become vegan? No. But it does mean we all have a responsibility to become aware, to pause for a moment, and consciously decide what kind of life we want to build. The reasons people choose to become vegan vary. For some, it's about no longer harming animals; for others, it's about protecting the planet; and for some, it's about maintaining a healthy body.
We are a part of nature, not above it.
The other day, I heard this: "We need to stop viewing animals as if they exist solely to serve human needs." What a powerful point, right? It was part of a conversation about chickens. As long as we continue to see animals only as "producers," we create expectations and habits that lead to their misuse and the unsustainable exploitation of resources. When animals are genetically modified to produce more for us, we are playing with the laws of nature. And we will lose.
It's all about cultivating a conscious mindset. What kind of world do we want to live in? What kind of world do we want for our children? We need to be clear on that. Once we are, the choice becomes simple.
Awareness is key. With all the information – or should I say, misinformation – out there, it's no wonder we are confused. But remember, step by step, we can get there. Let's start with something as simple as food. Do you really know what you are eating, what you are putting into your body? I know I certainly didn’t, or at least I didn't in the past. I laugh when I think back to Anaïs' simple answer when I asked her how she does her grocery shopping. She said: "When I don't understand what's in it, I don't buy it." Simple as that. Living in India, my meals are so simple, yet so delicious. Just a few ingredients – veggies, nuts, spices – and a meal made with love.
We can shift our mindset about food and recognize that it's a blessing. Food isn't there to make you feel a certain way or numb your feelings. Food – nutrition – is there to nourish your body, which is the foundation of your well-being. When your physical health is out of balance, your mental health is affected. A balanced diet strengthens our body (Anaïs is no longer anemic and doesn’t suffer from high cholesterol anymore), improves our mental health, and allows nature to breathe again. So, let’s reconnect with food. Use our hands when cooking and rediscover the love for it. You'll taste the difference!
Connect with Anaïs via @inhaleyoga_anais